Curiosity piqued, I pressed further, seeking to uncover the truth behind her laughter. "So, it wasn't true?" I inquired, intrigued by the unexpected twist in her tale.

Cordelia's laughter subsided, replaced by a wry smile. "Oh, it is true that he bailed me out from that wretched place, but I'm sure he won't tell you that. He also introduced me to the tavern master at Pixie Blessing, but his motivations were far from pure pity," she explained, a hint of bitterness creeping into her voice. "He did all of that to buy my silence."

Intrigued by her revelation, I ventured a guess. "To keep your silence about his visits to the brothel?" I surmised, considering the implications that such knowledge could have on a man like Sir Geoffrey, who I presumed had a wife and children. The kingdom's laws regarding registered brothels are stringent, and they explicitly forbid married men and priests from patronizing such establishments. While some individuals may choose to flout these rules, any knowledge of Sir Geoffrey's involvement in such activities could tarnish his family's reputation.

Cordelia nodded, confirming my guess. However, I found myself unconvinced by the notion that Sir Geoffrey would go to such lengths just to secure her silence. If that were his sole intention, he could have simply left her in the brothel. There had to be another reason for his actions.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

"He must have fallen helplessly in love with you," I concluded, my thoughts piecing together the puzzle.

Cordelia's response only further deepened the intrigue. "I believe so too, considering it was I who thoroughly seduced him. I can surmise that this individual hails from a prominent background. Therefore, I purposefully elicited his sympathy towards me." she revealed.

I fought the urge to inquire further about the details of Cordelia's seductive tactics. Deep down, I knew that delving any deeper into her methods could lead me down a perilous path. Instead, I decided to exercise caution and keep my questions restrained. Yet, despite my reservations, Cordelia seemed to possess an uncanny ability to anticipate my unspoken thoughts. Without giving me a chance to voice my question, she forged ahead.

"I simply listened to his grievances about his nagging wife, his ungrateful children, and the burdens placed upon him by his family," Cordelia explained, her voice tinged with a mix of nonchalance and amusement. "Apparently, he also struggled with issues pertaining to his virility, but I offered him solace nonetheless. It was as simple as that."

A mixture of fascination and trepidation swirled within me as I grappled with this enigmatic woman. Should I run away, fearing the unknown depths of her allure? Or should I stay and confront the allure head-on? My mind raced, unable to settle on a clear course of action. In the end, I found myself frozen, uncertain of what to do next.